# NTSB CHI00LA225: Comeau Avid Flyer, N646R, Gladstone, MI, July 26, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 26, 2000, 07:00 local (11:00 UTC) - Place: Gladstone, MI - Coordinates: 45.849491, -87.019668 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8495&lon=-87.0197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49844 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA225 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49844/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA225 ## Probable cause aircraft control not maintained by the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff ## Analysis The experimental floatplane's right wing contacted the water after takeoff. The pilot stated the right wing contacted the water while the floatplane was at an altitude of 2-3 feet above the water. The pilot also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction. ## Factual narrative On July 26, 2000, at 0700 eastern daylight time, an experimental Comeau Avid Flyer, N646R, owned and piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed on impact with water during takeoff from Little Bay Du Noc, Gladstone, Michigan. During takeoff, the aircraft's right wing contacted the water and the airplane flipped over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a written statement, the pilot reported, "...The winds were from the south at approximately 7 to 8 knots with some gusts to about 10 knots, and there were some short waves on the lake. I was the sole occupant of the aircraft and my destination was the Vette seaplane base in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. I took off directly into the wind and got the airplane onto the step. Shortly after the airplane left the water and became airborne, at about tow to three feet above the surface of the water, the right wing suddenly dropped and I was unable to level the wings. The right wing tip hit the surface of the water, and immediately after the right float also hit the surface of the water. I felt the strut crosswires snap and the airplane came to rest on both floats with the airplane listing to the right with the right wing tip in the water..." Flight control continuity was established by a Federal Aviation Maintenance Inspector. The pilot also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N646R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N646R-2023-01-14), registration cancelled 2023-01-14, S/N 1267D, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Comeau AVID FLYER - Registry model: [Comeau Jules J AVID FLYER](https://openairdocs.org/model/comeau-jules-j-avid-flyer) (registry code 05624DA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1267D - Airframe hours: 414 - Engines: Jabiru 2200A 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jules J Comeau - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, May 7, 2000, 31 hours before - Departed: MI - Destination: OSHKOSH, WI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 661 total, 374 in this make and model, 581 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 154 °F, dew point 145 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ESC ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000726037239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000726037239A), Jul 26, 2000: Amtr AVIDFLYER, Gladstone, MI, No damage. (-23) Pilot attempted takeoff on bay de noc, Gladstone, MI. Wind was se at 10 KTS,waves 2 to 3 ft. after lift off, a/c apparently stalled, right wing dropped… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.